Glacier Ice Stolen for Use in High-End Cocktails

An unusual event has environmentalists and global-warming skeptics agreeing that human activity is at least partially to blame for retreating glaciers.

According to The Guardian, a man in Chile was apprehended after stealing 5 tons of glacier ice with the intent to sell it. The man was caught driving a refrigerated truck with over $6,000 worth of glacier ice inside. He was accused of theft, but authorities are considering adding "violation of national monuments" to his charge.

Just where was he heading with all that ice? The man was allegedly en route to Santiago to sell the glacier for use in fancy cocktails at nice bars and restaurants. Glacier ice is carved into what are considered to be "designer ice cubes."

The Jorge Montt glacier (where the ice was stolen) is located in Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, and is shrinking faster than most other glaciers in the world. As of now, it melts by half a mile each year. Glacier ice theft is clearly not helping the problem, and according to the BBC, the use of glacier ice in high-end cocktails is not a new occurrence. Apparently, whiskey served over glacier ice is a popular tourist beverage in Chile.